COMPETITION HOTS UP

Coach Jim McInally admits he has some sympathy with players trying to break into the starting eleven now - simply because it is such a difficult thing to do.

Jim says his fringe players are trying harder than ever to claim a place in the team but the form of the starting eleven at the moment makes it almost impossible to contemplate switches.

Although, he says those currently in possession of the jerseys now know they can't sit back and take things for granted.

"The competition for places now is great," he said. "Although I  never like telling people they are not going to play on a Saturday. It is hard for people like Paul Hay, who has done nothing wrong really, but they have to be patient and just work hard to keep the other guys on their toes.

"We brought Ryan Harding in to try and give us a bit more strength at the back but even he has been unable to break into the team simply because Eddie and Bolo have been outstanding.

""You look at things just now and ask yourself, 'Who do you drop?'. We have a lot of quality players at this club and I  can see it in training how hard they are fighting to get into the team. That can only be a good thing for us."